View a FREE sample

This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In Augustine's example, how can something used also be enjoyed?
(a) Friends who gather for community can enjoy the delicious meal.
(b) The community that develops for a delicious meal can be enjoyed.
(c) The shine and sturdiness of a pot or pan can be enjoyed.
(d) A friend with the special gift to cook a delicious meal can be enjoyed for their company.

2. What is the subject that Augustine addresses in Book One and Book Two?
(a) Understanding how to convey Scripture.
(b) Understanding what one should learn from Scripture.
(c) Finding a place in a Scriptural community.
(d) Finding what to learn from Scripture.

3. Upon what does Augustine focus most of his efforts in the Preface of "On Christian Doctrine"?
(a) Criticism from those who refuse or are unable to apply it.
(b) Criticism that his demands for linguistic studies were too exclusive.
(c) Criticism from those who believe it is not needed.
(d) Criticism from those who claim that Augustine relied too much on training and not enough on divine guidance.

4. Augustine wrote that the critics he mainly focuses on in the Preface base their positions on what belief?
(a) That they already understand Scripture.
(b) Resistance to accept new ideas.
(c) A misapplication of Scripture.
(d) Fear of losing their influence.

5. What is the nature of the second important distinction Augustine identifies in Book One?
(a) Encouragement is an exhortation, but not every exhortation is an encouragement.
(b) A sign is always a thing, but not all things are signs.
(c) Everything that is enjoyed is used, but not everything that is used is enjoyed.
(d) Christian love can be found within pagans, but pagan love is antithetical to Christian love.

6. What was the second type of criticism that Augustine suggests "On Christian Doctrine" would face?
(a) Criticism from those who face punishment if they try to apply it.
(b) Criticism from those who claim too many Christians could not access proper training.
(c) Criticism from those who claim that Augustine relied too much on training and not enough on divine guidance.
(d) Criticism from those who refuse or are unable to apply it.

7. What is the second important distinction that Augustine makes in Book One?
(a) The distinction between enjoy and use.
(b) The distinction between things and signs.
(c) The distinction between Christian love and pagan love.
(d) The distinction between encouraging and exhortation.

8. What was the third type of criticism that Augustine suggests "On Christian Doctrine" would face?
(a) Criticism from those who believe it is not needed.
(b) Criticism from those who cannot grasp his teaching.
(c) Criticism that his demands for linguistic studies were too exclusive.
(d) Criticism from those who claim that Augustine relied too much on training and not enough on divine guidance.

9. What does Augustine recommend to avoid the negative influences on individual thought?
(a) Isolating from temptations.
(b) Paying careful attention to rules for Scriptural learning.
(c) Devoting regular time in prayer to become sensitive to Divine guidance.
(d) Regular participation in church activities.

10. What are the three things that Augustine claims that interpretations of Scripture should build up?
(a) Hope, signs, and the inner eye.
(b) The inner eye, love, and illuminated truth.
(c) Special gifts, community, and signs.
(d) Faith, hope and love.

11. What Scriptural defense does Augustine use for encouraging critics to consider the validity of "On Christian Doctrine"?
(a) Augustine argues that Scripture is the foundation of his writing, so his effort is divinely inspired.
(b) Augustine argues, in his blending of Greek and Christian thoughts, that Scripture contains many examples of God using pagans to exhibit his will.
(c) Augustine argues that Scripture does not negate any teaching extrapolated from Scripture.
(d) Augustine argues that Scripture contains many examples of people teaching others.

12. What does Augustine use to illustrate a thing to be enjoyed?
(a) The gathering of friends who come to share a delicious meal.
(b) The pot for cooking a delicious meal.
(c) A delicious meal.
(d) The special gift that enables one to cook a delicious meal.

13. To what does Augustine compare his distinction of things?
(a) To that between God and Lucifer.
(b) To that between critics who do not understand and critics who believe in "special gifts."
(c) To that between human nature and original sin.
(d) To that between instrumental and intrinsic good.

14. With what prediction does Augustine start "On Christian Doctrine"?
(a) God will assure that the Church will become the primary social force in the world.
(b) Christians will gather around a uniform doctrine.
(c) Christians will transform society through piety and rhetorical skill.
(d) The work will face three kinds of criticism.

15. Why does Augustine expect the method of accessing knowledge he lacks to be successful?
(a) Augustine is familiar with the classification system of the library at Hippo Regius.
(b) Augustine has great respect for other learned Priests within his sphere.
(c) Augustine believes that God will give to him because God gives to those who "give away," as does Augustine when he teaches.
(d) Augustine believes God guides those who gather in Christian community.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Augustine characterize things in Book One?

2. What should be the nature of the relationship between humans and God according to Augustine?

3. How does Augustine use the items of his example to illustrate his distinction?

4. What does Augustine suggest a conception of Christian love will serve for the student?

5. What is the source of teaching Augustine most advocates?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,059 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample